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I suspect similar results would come from manage grazing with most/any ruminant. We (ranchers in general) do not properly manage grazing. I think this is partia
by pard68 4y ago
I suspect similar results would come from manage grazing with most/any ruminant. We (ranchers in general) do not properly manage grazing. I think this is partially nearsighted capitalism, quick returns come from not allowing cattle to range and essentially shipping cattle around to upwards of three farms in their short lifespans (twoish years).
Longsighted capitalism recognizes that there is greater returns by growing beef slowly, recognizing that we (ranchers, shepherds, ruminant farmers) are primarily grass farmers, rotating cattle to simulate migration patterns, allowing native grasses to grow back, and giving up some (10% to 15%) of our pastures to trees to return the American south and midwest to the state it desires to be at (savannah).
(edit, I can't speak for ranching on the big western ranches, just how it's done from the east coast to about Tulsa)
I am a small time dairy farmer and homesteader (I also write software for a fintech 9-5). We practice regenerative agriculture and permaculture methods, and have pretty great results.
- eru 4y agoThe difference between shortsighted and longsighted capitalism is just that the latter has lower interest rates. (Of course to get there, you also need eg long term security of property rights and stable regulation etc.)
- runeks 4y ago> The difference between shortsighted and longsighted capitalism is just that the latter has lower interest rates. I disagree. If no consumer wants to buy your more expensive, "longsighted" beef, then it doesn't matter what the rate of interest is. If the consumer always rejects slightly more expensive, but more sustainably produced, goods then the only solution is to change this behavior.
- eru 4y agoOr you can accept that the customer doesn't want that kind of beef?
- pard68 4y agoAnecdotal and only in reference to smaller herds, but my costs are significantly less. Cattle are free after the initial cost of cows and a bull. I feed hay December/January through April. Hay is $40 / bale and each bale is enough for ten cows for one week.
- lumb63 4y agoWhat came first for you, homesteading or software? I’m currently a software engineer but slowly wearing down and have an image in my mind of living in harmony with the land and would love to know how best to get started.
- pard68 4y agoI bought a horse because I was dating a farrier (horse manicurist) . We got married, bought a house, got chickens, then I stumbled into software development accidentally. I've been stumbling forwards in both software and farming ever since. Edit I think anyone can pull it off with enough capital, patience, some help, and determination. Costs can be low. I have over $100 acres, that was about $2000/acre and that includes the house that was on the land. It's about $250 for every 1000 feet of electric fencing I run. A beef cow costs $500 my dairy cows are significantly more ($2000-4000) but they produce $8/gallon and give 6-8 gallons a day, so they pay themselves off quickly. Hardest part is learning because you are gonna fail and failure involves lives. One of my cows gave birth during this cold snap over Christmas. Her teats are frostbitten and will probably all fall off, and all because I am too inexperienced and got her due date wrong by a month.